North Valley Magazine––What to read in June & July By Julie Carlson THE CONSPIRACY OF US By Maggie Hall Young adults may find this debut novel intriguing. Main character Avery West continually moves from place to place with her mother. Avery wants to lay down roots, date, and make lifelong friends. It bothers her that she hasn’t been able to do so, especially when she meets Jack. But when her mother onc ...

Genera Garcia's ethnic heritage is the inspiration for this multimedia artist’s vibrant work.  By Nicole Royse Local chef, restaurateur, and advocate Gennaro Garcia is also an artist who creates bodies of work that explore various media that include painting, woodwork, prints, ceramics, wearables, and murals. Growing up in an artistic household, he has always had a passion for the arts. His style is a combi ...

Stylish Staycations As the season heats up, summer rates at Valley resorts take an affordable dive. Experience the best in luxurious, world-class accommodations at one or more of these amazing resort properties at a fraction of their in-season rates. What are you waiting for? Pack your overnight bag for a lavish weekend of relaxation, fine dining, plush accommodations, and much more. By Paige Bailey   ...

Interested dancers are encouraged to attend prep classes beginning June 29  The Phoenix Suns will host auditions for the 2015-16 Suns Dancers beginning Sat., Aug. 1 at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale. Those possessing the skill and enthusiasm to become a member of the 2015-16 Suns Dancers are encouraged to attend prep classes being held throughout the summer at US Airways Center, beginning on Monday, Jun ...

Celebrate Veuve Clicquot champagne during these delightful Valley events On Thursday, June 11 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., stop by The Montauk for the official launch of the Clicquot en Route nationwide tour! For $20, guests can enjoy a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label paired with a complimentary mini Maine lobster and blue crab cake with Veuve Clicquot champagne caviar sauce. For $25, guests will receive ...

A Refreshing Spa Party By Jamila Watson Photos by Kourtney Marie Photography We’re now in the lazy days of summer, and in the North Valley, life seems to slow down a bit. This is the perfect time to reconnect with friends, get pampered, and beat the heat. For this article, I wanted to show you fun and relaxing ideas on planning a spa gathering where you and your friends can unwind and be treated like royalt ...

Metal Worker  With a metal inert-gas tool in hand, writer Anissa Stringer tries her hand at welding. By Anissa Stringer   For this issue of North Valley Magazine, I tried something very different— took a welding class! Since I had zero experience as a welder, I had no expectations for the class other than the vague notion that I’d be wielding fire in an astronaut suit. The reality was a little differen ...

The Sean Mullaney Band Writer Lynette Carrington sits down with a gifted Valley vocalist. As with artists in any genre, musicians get their inspiration and training from a variety of sources. Musician Sean Mullaney would agree. “I look up to icons like Freddy Mercury, Robert Plant, and Mick Jagger for their front-man, vocal, and melodic talents,” he says. “Musically, I love the Black Crowes and Neil Young f ...

Treat dad this Father’s Day with a free round of golf at one of Wildfire Golf Club’s two world-class 18-hole championship golf courses located at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Wildfire Golf Club is offering a Father’s Day Special on Sunday, June 21, for celebrating dad. Fathers play free when accompanied by a family member who has purchased a round of golf. The 18-hole, par 71 Faldo Championshi ...

Asian Beef and Peppers Stir-fry is a fantastic, healthy cooking method because it emphasizes vegetables and places less focus on the meat and uses minimal oil. Plus, the high heat prevents more delicate nutrients from being destroyed. Oils that are used for stir-frying are generally lower in saturated fat. An entree will generally yield 350 to 400 calories per serving in contrast to a restaurant stir-fry th ...

Asian Beef and Peppers By Leann Grunwald   Stir-fry is a fantastic, healthy cooking method because it emphasizes vegetables and places less focus on the meat and uses minimal oil. Plus, the high heat prevents more delicate nutrients from being destroyed. Oils that are used for stir-frying are generally lower in saturated fat. An entree will generally yield 350 to 400 calories per serving in contrast to ...

New Horizons By Steve Kates The blazing summer heat continues. Nature releases this heat energy in the form of our summer monsoons. As the accompanying rain clears out the air, we’re able to see some amazing sights. The skies of June and July are jam-packed with exciting celestial treats to view as we experience shorter nights. The summer solstice on June 21 at 9:38 a.m. marks the change of seasons and the ...

The Dirty Dozen  By Ed Cohen, DVM Every home has an array of toxins that could potentially harm your pet. Knowing what can be harmful and what to do if your pet is exposed to any of these toxins can help to avoid a tragic situation. Although this list includes some of the most common toxic exposures seen in pets, it’s not all-inclusive. If in doubt as to whether your pet may have been exposed to a toxin, pl ...

Splish Splash  By Kimberly Huffed Photos by Heidi Lea Photography With spring break over, there are only seven weeks of school left! It’s time to start planning those end-of-the-school-year get-togethers and  fun summer pool party. The weather is just about right to take your first dip of the season. Things warm up fast, so plan ahead and be ready to invite some friends over for an afternoon, or get a group ...

FRED TIEKEN By Nicole Royse Local artist Fred Tieken creates electric artworks that examine a variety of issues and passions important to the artist. His paintings are a burst of color, figures, and words overlapping one another, guiding the viewer through the paintings and highlighting personal subjects and experiences. At first glance, Tieken’s artwork is reminiscent of Basquiat with his love of color, bo ...